HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-15FDU C's
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NANTUCKET ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE FINAL AND
APPROVED MINUTES
Meeting held October 15, 2013
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Call To Order. Chairman Allen Reinhard called a meeting of the Roads &!�igl4mf
Way Committee to order at 4:05 p.m. in the conference room at 2 Fairgroun Rpm. hia
addition to the chairman, members Nat Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, and Sylvie0'D6bnellrn
were present. In addition DPW Director Kara Buzanowski, Town Engineer S'dxio'ena
Selectman Rick Atherton and I &M Reporter Elise Linscott were present. Brant�Point�
resident John Sorino joined the meeting at 4:10. 3 n
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Minutes: Joe Marcklinger moved approval of Minutes from September 17,20P
seconded by Nat Lowell and approved as submitted. N s
New Business: With the Committee's approval, the Chairman requested the Committee
take up a New Business item relating to Warrant Articles 5 & 6 on the November 4
Special Town Meeting as the first agenda item. These articles are permissive and grant
the Selectmen authority to acquire five ways to the harbor along Hulbert Avenue (Dix,
Johnson, James, Henry and Willard Streets referred to as the `Beachside Streets ").
Neighbors in the area have deeded rights to pass over these abutters ways and the Town
has discussed making these ways public since 1913. The process was undertaken in the
1930's and in later years. The recent creation of a fence across the way at James Street
initiated the current warrant articles.
After discussion about the history of these ways and previous attempts to acquire them as
public ways, and an explanation of the Yard Sale program and One Big Beach easements
Nat Lowell moved and Joe Marcklinger seconded and the Committee Voted: A
recommendation to the Town Manager and County Commissioners in strong support of
Articles 5 and 6 on the November 4, 2013 Special Town Meeting.
Introduction of new Town Engineer, Silvio Genao: DPW Director Kara Buzanowski
introduced Silvio Genao, the new Town Engineer, to the Committee. Mr. Genao has
worked with the Town of Barnstable to develop an Inventory Asset Condition, essentially
a list of roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure assets of a town with a rating of their
current condition in order to prioritize maintenance and capital planning. This approach
to tracking town infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks ties in well with the newly
developed Encroachment Policy and the Committee's planned Town Sidewalk Survey.
The Committee looks forward to assisting the DPW regarding the improvement of public
access and public ways through developing condition assessments, maintenance
schedules and capital projects planning.
Encroachment Policy Review: Discussion turned to a review of the new Encroachment
Policy draft requested by the Town Manager. Director Buzanowski raised the question of
whether there was such a thing as an "historical encroachment" Some structures such as
steps and landings to house entrances were discussed; however, fences and especially
plantings and landscape features such as large boulders placed in a public way are clearly
not historical. There followed a discussion of the various existing types of encroachments
of public ways and a brief history of enforcement issues leading to the need for a revised
policy with stronger enforcement provisions and a system to prioritize and respond as
situations arise. Director Buzanowski is developing a plan to deal with encroachments
area by area with public education of the rights and responsibilities of abutters of public
ways to keep these ways clear. The Committee offered its support for this program and
offered to develop a list of existing situations such as the sidewalk on Centre Street,
various intersections and other situations committee members are aware of
Also discussed was the status of the takings of the Surfside area roads from the airport to
Surfside Road. Funds for initial survey work have been approved and funding of the
project was briefly discussed including sharing costs between the County and area
residents through betterments. Chairman Reinhard noted he is an abutter to the
Boulevarde and an officer of the Surfside Area Association.
Open Space Plan Update: The Chairman reported that Planning Director Vorce has
been reviewing the text of the plan and plans to have a draft ready for review within the
next month. The Plan will have maps showing public ways and trail systems throughout
the island as well w an accurate inventory of open space.
Railroad Trail Project: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is developing a
management plan for the 1789 acres of land they own south of Milestone Road from
Madequecham to Tom Nevers. Most of the old Nantucket Railroad bed runs through this
area and is clearly defined by its elevation through the outwash plain to Soonset. The
route would make an excellent firebreak and historic walk through this extensive
conservation holding. The Land Bank has cleared part of the railroad bed through its
property along Hinsdale Road. The Town and Land Bank have applied for a CPC Open
Space grant to establish a park along the railroad path behind the new Cape Cod 5 bank
linking Orange Street to Pleasant Street. The Committee will develop appropriate
interpretative information and marking as pieces of this project come together.
In -town Multi-use Path Phase 1: Mike Bums discussed the public hearing held on
September 26 regarding plans for phase 1 of the construction of a paved Multi-use
(pedestrians, bicycles and strollers) path linking Washington Street Ext. across the
railroad bed behind Goose Pond to Orange Street beyond Marine Home Center. The next
step is to prepare bid packages for construction and securing rights-of-way and permits. If
all goes according to plan, construction should begin in the fall of 2014 and be completed
before next summer. This path will be a major improvement for public access and
pedestrian safety.
Downtown Sidewalk Project: The chairman initiated discussion of the Downtown
Sidewalk Project including the goal of the project and the results we are seeking. Initially,
the project was proposed to identify areas in the downtown area where sidewalks simply
end and pedestrians are forced to walk in the street or along narrow paths adjacent to
curbs. The Town could then adopt a plan including funding sources to extend sidewalks
where possible. Sidewalks along Prospect Street and Quaker Road, Cliff Road, Pleasant
Street and Williams Lane were cited as examples. The project could also include
identification of sidewalk conditions in the downtown area similar to the work done by
the Town's Sidewalk Committee and the DPW in preparation for the sewer and water
main work to be done in town this winter. Since 2011 when the Committee first
considered the project, various pieces have come together. The earlier Encroachment
Policy discussion and the hiring of a Town Engineer and a plan to develop an inventory
of town infrastructure assets are all related and can give focus to improving the status and
condition of sidewalks through out the town.
Adjournment: There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday,
November 19, at 4:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Reinhard, acting secretary pro tern